Determination of multi-walled carbon nanotube bioaccumulation in earthworms measured by a microwave-based detection technique

作者：Li Shibin^*; Irin Fahmida; Atore Francis O; Green Micah J; Canas Carrell Jaclyn E

来源：Science of the Total Environment, 2013, 445: 9-13.

DOI：10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.12.037

• Carbon nanotubes
• Microwave
• Earthworm
• Bioaccumulation

Reliable quantification techniques for carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are limited. In this study, a new procedure was developed for quantifying multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) in earthworms (Eisenia fetida) based on freeze drying and microwave-induced heating. Specifically, earthworms were first processed into a powder by freeze drying. Then, samples were measured by utilizing 10 s exposure to 30 W microwave power. This method showed the potential to quantitatively measure MWNTs in earthworms at low concentrations (similar to 0.1 mu g in 20 mg of earthworm). Also, a simple MWNT bioaccumulation study in earthworms indicated a low bioaccumulation factor of 0.015 +/- 0.004. With an appropriate sample processing method and instrumental parameters (power and exposure time), this technique has the potential to quantify MWNTs in a variety of sample types (plants, earthworms, human blood, etc.).

• 出版日期2013-2-15